Indian Musical Instruments

Indian Musical Instruments

There are many different styles of music in India and regional preferences. A wide variety of Indian musical instruments give different sounds to classical, popular and folk music. Some of these instruments are very old. Western instruments are used too sometimes. Violins can be heard in some classical recordings and the harmonium is used in some popular music. Three basic types of home grown instrument is used; strings (plucked, bowed or struck), wind and percussion.

The Sitar is the most familiar instrument in the West. This is because The Beatles and other rock bands used it during the 1960s and 1970s. George Harrison studied under the prominent player, Ravi Shankar. It is one of the most difficult to learn of the Indian musical instruments and constant practice is required. There are sympathetic strings to complement the normal strings. In India, it is played in Hindustani classical music. This is a traditional form, which evolved in the North. The Sarod is another classical string instrument. It has twenty five strings, is similar to a lute and is played with a plectrum.

Percussion is very important to Indian composers. The Tabla is very popular; again one of the Indian musical instruments to be familiar to Beatles devotees, and is played in Indian classical, religious and popular music. Tabla is a pair of hand drums that vary in size and tone. Another form of percussion called the Dhol is played mainly in the Punjab and Gujarat districts. It is a double sided barrel drum and is used in religious music and to set the rhythm for dance music.

Flutes are used a lot and with several different versions. The Bansuri is an alto flute that is used in Pakistan as well as India. It is made from a single length of bamboo and has six or seven open finger holes. It's mostly played in Hindustani classical music.

Folk music is an ancient form with many styles. There are some Indian musical instruments, with a very distinctive sound, that have no real equivalent in the Western world. The Sarinda is a three stringed folk instrument that is played with a bow.

There is a rich cultural heritage in India and the music reflects the history and beliefs of the people. Unfortunately, most people in the West only get to hear the more pop influenced Indian songs, as background music in curry houses. Other forms are worth exploring. Of all the Indian musical instruments invented, the Jal Tarang has to be the strangest. It's a series of rice bowls, each tuned according to the level of water they contain. It's not heard much these days, which is a pity. Perhaps U2 could make use of it on their next album?